The two cuties in the photo are first cousins. The one on the right is my nephew’s son, and the one on the left is the son of my nephew’s wife’s sister. I grew up without any first cousins because both of my parents were only children. However, my niece Jessie and nephew Chad grew up with their first cousins Bethany and Cassidy, daughters of my brother-in-law’s brother. They had a grand time together and often went to the same Christian camp — Kanakuk — near Branson, Missouri every year. I know some families have large family reunions where cousins can get to know each other. Cousins are like any other family member. If your personalities connect, the relationship can be a wonderful lifelong experience. But if they don’t, family gatherings are always dreaded. Let’s learn more about cousins.
According to Wikipedia, commonly, "cousin" refers to a "first cousin," a relative whose most recent common ancestor with the subject is a grandparent. More generally, in the lineal kinship system used in the English-speaking world, a cousin is a type of familial relationship in which two relatives are two or more familial generations away from their most recent common ancestor.
"Degrees" and "removals" are used to more precisely describe the relationship between cousins. Degree measures the separation, in generations, from the most recent common ancestor(s) to a parent of one of the cousins — whichever is closest, while removal measures the difference in generations between the cousins themselves, relative to their most recent common ancestor(s). To illustrate usage, a "second cousin" is a cousin with a degree of two; there are three (not two) generations from the common ancestor(s). When the degree is not specified, first cousin is assumed. A cousin that is "once removed" is a cousin with one removal. When the removal is not specified, no removal is assumed.
Various governmental entities have established systems for legal use that can precisely specify kinship with common ancestors any number of generations in the past; for example, in medicine and in law, a first cousin is a type of third-degree relative.
Additional terms
The terms full cousin and cousin-german are used to specify a first cousin with no removals.
The terms cousin-uncle/aunt and cousin-niece/nephew are sometimes used to describe the direction of the removal of the relationship, especially in Mennonite, Indian and Pakistani families. These terms relate to a first cousin once removed, uncle/aunt referring to an older generation and niece/nephew for younger ones. For additional removals grand/great are applied to these relationships. For example, a second granduncle is a male first cousin twice removed that comes from an older generation, and a cousin-grandniece is a female first cousin twice removed who comes from a younger generation.
The term grandcousin is sometimes used for the grandchild of a first cousin or the first cousin of a grandparent: a first cousin twice removed.
The term kissing cousin is sometimes used for a distant relative who is familiar enough to be greeted with a kiss.
Consanguinity — "blood relation" from Latin consanguinitas — is the property of being from the same kinship as another person. In that aspect, consanguinity is the quality of being descended from the same ancestor as another person.
The laws of many jurisdictions set out the degree of consanguinity in relation to prohibited sexual relations and marriage parties. Such rules are also used to determine heirs of an estate according to statutes that govern intestate succession, which vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In some places and times, cousin marriage is approved and expected; in others, it is taboo as incest.
The degree of relative consanguinity can be illustrated with a consanguinity table in which each level of lineal consanguinity — generation or meiosis — appears as a row, and individuals with a collaterally consanguineous relationship share the same row. The Knot System is a numerical notation that describes consanguinity using the Ahnentafel numbers of shared ancestors.
Cousin marriage
Cousin marriage is important in several anthropological theories, which often differentiate between matriarchal and patriarchal parallel and cross cousins.
Currently about 10% and historically as high as 80% of all marriages are between first or second cousins. Cousin marriages are often arranged. Anthropologists believe it is used as a tool to strengthen the family, conserve its wealth, protect its cultural heritage and retain the power structure of the family and its place in the community. Some groups encourage cousin marriage while others attach a strong social stigma to it. In some regions in the Middle East, more than half of all marriages are between first or second cousins; some of the countries in this region this may exceed 70%. Just outside this region, it is often legal but infrequent. Many cultures have encouraged specifically cross-cousin marriages. In other places, it is legally prohibited and culturally equivalent to incest. Supporters of cousin marriage often view the prohibition as discrimination, while opponents claim potential immorality and cite the increased rate of birth defects in children of cousin marriages.
Famous cousins
According to the article “19 Sets of Famous Cousins” updated Dec. 30, 2019 at ranker.com, some of Hollywood's biggest stars have cousins who are also famous. One famous set of cousins have appeared in five films together. Several famous musicians also have equally famous cousins. One famous pair of cousins includes an NBA superstar and a world-famous comedian.
Glenn Close & Brooke Shields
Glenn Close and Brooke Shields are second cousins, once removed. Close's grandfather and Shields's great-grandmother were siblings. Glenn Close has appeared in such films as “Fatal Attraction” and “Albert Nobbs.” Brooke Shields was the star of “The Blue Lagoon” and "Suddenly Susan."
Dionne Warwick & Whitney Houston
"I Say a Little Prayer" singer Dionne Warwick and "I Will Always Love You" singer Whitney Houston and are cousins. Their mothers, Emily "Cissy" Drinkard and Lee Drinkard, were sisters.
George Clooney & Miguel Ferrer
George Clooney and Miguel Ferrer are first cousins. Clooney's father is the brother of Ferrer's mother, Rosemary Clooney. George Clooney has starred in such films as “Syriana” and “Oceans 11.” Ferrer has appeared in such TV shows as "Twin Peaks" and "Crossing Jordan."
Lauren Bacall & Shimon Peres
Actress Lauren Bacall and former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres are first cousins. Bacall was born Betty Joan Perske. Peres was born Szymon Perski. Their fathers, William and Yizhak, were brothers.
Melissa McCarthy & Jenny McCarthy
Melissa McCarthy and Jenny McCarthy are cousins. Melissa McCarthy has starred in such films as “Bridesmaids” and “Identity Thief.” Jenny McCarthy was a co-host on “The View” and currently, is a judge on the musical competition show “The Masked Singer.”
Nicolas Cage, Jason Schwartzman & Sofia Coppola
Nicolas Cage, Jason Schwartzman and Sofia Coppola are all first cousins. They share the same grandparents, Italia and Carmine Coppola. Nicolas Cage has appeared in such films as “Con Air” and “National Treasure.” Schwartzman and Coppola collaborated on the film “Marie Antoinette.”
Snoop Dogg & Brandy
Snoop Dogg is the first cousin of Brandy and her brother Ray J. Snoop Dogg released his 17th rap album in 2019. Brandy has sold over 40 million pop records worldwide.
Rip Torn & Sissy Spacek
Rip Torn and Sissy Spacek and are first cousins. Torn's mother and Spacek's father were siblings. Spacek even lived with Torn when she first moved to New York to become an actress. Torn has appeared in films like “Men in Black” and “Wonder Boys.” Spacek has appeared in such films as “Carrie” and “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”
Phillip Glass & Ira Glass
Composer Philip Glass and public radio host Ira Glass are first cousins, once removed. Phillip Glass has composed scores for such films as “The Hours” and “Notes on a Scandal.” Ira Glass is the host of "This American Life" on NPR which frequently features the music of Philip Glass.
Shaquille O’Neal & Bill Bellamy
NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal and comedian Bill Bellamy are cousins. In addition to his basketball career, O'Neal has released four rap albums, with his first, "Shaq Diesel," going platinum. Bellamy has starred in a number of movies including “Any Given Sunday” and Kindergarten Cop 2.” In 2020, he starred in the Netflix series “Self Made.”
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